Pantala flavescens(Fabricius, 1798)Wandering Glider

Status-Global/State:

Distinguishing Characteristics:

The yellow-orange wandering glider, with a yellow face with red eyes, is best known for its flying style, in which it seems to glide almost effortlessly with the winds. The hindwings form an elongated triangle, longer than abdomen, broad at base and reaching halfway down the abdomen. The wings have brown tips, especially in males. The length of the body varies from 1.9 to 2.0 inches. The abdomen is mostly yellow and tapered with a orange tint dorsally. The face is yellow with a red tint developing in males. The female's coloration is similar to the male's but duller and yellowish.

Description of Habitat/Range:

This species is common in United States and southern Canada. It is common in the south, while it is migratory in the north. It is usually found at small standing waters, including ponds and puddles, but also can be seen over fields, etc, well away from waters. It is widely distributed throughout Wisconsin, though infrequently seen in many areas.

Flight Season:

Late June to early September in Wisconsin.

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

<1%(1)

8%(25)

31%(99)

37%(120)

21%(69)

3%(10)

Shading illustrates monthly percentages of the total flight season records for the species.
Each flight season record is a unique date/location/observer combination where one or more adult or an
exuvia was recorded (excludes nymphs). The actual number of flight season records for each month is shown
in parentheses.

Flight seasons begin earlier in the southern
part of the state, often by a week or more. Also, flight charts may not be accurate for rare species because of
few data available.